In August 2025, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued decision 2025 CHRT 80. 

In a nutshell, the CHRT ordered AFN and the Caring Society to consult with:

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• NCCC

• Chiefs

• First Nations

• First Nations organizations outside of Ontario

• Applicants for Interested Party Status to the CHRT review of the Ontario

• Agreement

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to develop a plan to end Canada's discrimination in FNCFS by December 20th 2025. The CHRT also said that the consultations will likely need to prioritize virtual meetings over in-person meetings because of time & financial constraints.

The CHRT has clarified that at MINIMUM long-term reform remedies shall:

1. Have lasting effects, be adequately resourced, and remain sustainable for present and future          generations;
2. Be flexible and improve upon the Tribunal’s previous orders;
3. Incorporate regional and local First Nations perspectives;
4. Be evidence-based, relying on the best currently available research and studies, without delay          for additional studies;
5. Align with the spirit of the Tribunal’s findings and rulings in a non-rigid manner;
6. Be First Nations–centered and respectful of their distinct needs and perspectives;
7. Be culturally appropriate, respect substantive equality, reflect the best interests of the child              through an Indigenous lens and respect the specific needs of First Nations children and families;
8. Comply with domestic and international human rights, especially the Convention on the Rights of      the Child and UNDRIP
9. Strive for excellence rather than perfection, without narrowing the Tribunal’s findings and orders.

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In September, the Nations in Assembly reaffirmed the role of the NCCC and directed AFN to find $1,000,000 to support consultations over the next few months. The NCCC and the Caring Society immediately began compiling materials to support conversations in the regions. 

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Canada has applied for Judicial Review of CHRT 80, asking for it to be overturned and a new Tribunal Panel to be established.  The Caring Society and NCCC are continuing with the engagements directed in CHRT 80 until the outcome of the Judicial Review is available. Our goal is still to create a plan to end Canada's discrimination to the CHRT by December 20th. PDFs on this page will be downloaded to your device.